"The hay's essentially in the barn," said Hemingway, a farmer and auto repair shop owner on Monday. He said he's been thinking about the amount of early voting the past few weeks and hopes to successfully take one of the seats.

In more than five decades, the county has seen only one Republican serve on the Board of Supervisors when John Etheredge won a partial term in a 2013 special election. The last time a Republican was elected in a general election was in 1958.

In Johnson County, Democratic active registered voters outnumbered Republican active registered voters by 44,754 to 18,221 as of Nov. 1.

"It's important to make sure all voices in the county are heard," Hemingway said, adding he plans to bring representation for people in rural areas and to listen to the county employee needs.

In addition to running his shop, Hemingway is currently serving his third year on the Iowa City Community School Board. He said his experience on the school board as a budget watchdog is something that sets him apart from his opponents.

As a farmer living and driving the roads of rural Iowa, he said he also brings a blue-collar perspective that focuses on fixing old infrastructure.

"I'm interested in maintaining old roads and bridges before embarking on new roads," he said. "There's plenty of existing infrastructure that needs attention."

Rettig also emphasized the need to improve the county's infrastructure. She added she's served on the board since 2009 and contributed to lowering the debt despite the area's growth.

"It's important to balance the needs of a growing population," she said, mentioning wage increases and more affordable housing.

Rettig said her experience planning and keeping track of the budget are what make her a good candidate for the Board.

The county's dwindling resources for a growing population was also on the mind of candidate Pat Heiden, Oaknoll Retirement Community's former executive director.

She said her experience working for the organization for 37 years, of which she served 21 as executive director, gave her administrative, management and leadership skills needed for the Board.

Heiden added that her priorities include improving affordable housing, access to healthcare and transportation.

"It's really exciting we're moving forward with the Access Center," she said, adding she approves of the county's decision to increase the minimum wage. "It's critical."

"What's most important is people get out to vote," Heiden said

Supervisors Kurt Friese, Lisa Green-Douglass and Rod Sullivan were elected to four-year terms in 2016. The County will meet Thursday to discuss and possibly decide if Friese' seat will be filled by appointment or by special election after his death was announced last week.

Reach Hillary Ojeda at 319-339-7345, hojeda@press-citizen.com or follow her on Twitter at @hillarymojeda